Picking and Choosing

Watching the presidential debate last night certainly helped me to narrow my choices for the Republican candidate. By the end of the debate, I had reached the following conclusions: Who’s a No-Go? Rick Santorum The former senator from Pennsylvania is a crybaby. He made quite a show of complaining he wasn’t getting enough air time, although I think he was getting more than he deserved. Santorum is almost invisible in the polls. He couldn’t even get elected senator the last time he ran. What makes him think he can be president? Santorum lets people know when they’re getting under his skin. Since we already have a Whiner-in-Chief, Santorum needs to get over himself and move on. Newt Gingrich The former Speaker of the House wants to be president, but he takes umbrage at questions about why his campaign staff walked out on him. If you want to lead the country, you should be able to lead your employees first. Questions about why you can’t are fair and reasonable and deserve an honest and respectful answer. I don’t care how many fun facts and creative scenarios he can toss out in a split second. We already have an “I’m never wrong” president. Gingrich is too pompous for the job. Ron Paul I just wish he would go away. Please. Paul is like an eccentric, rambling uncle taking over the spare room. He makes John McCain look young, dynamic--and conservative. The anti-military Paul is sucking valuable airtime from the other candidates who actually have a chance, and he’s delusional if he thinks he will ever be president. Stop the madness and go home toTexas . Tim Pawlenty Remember Ronald Reagan’s 11th commandment to never speak ill of a fellow Republican? Evidently Pawlenty doesn’t. With the rich mother lode of topics to address on why Obama should not be president and he should, Pawlenty chooses instead to attack a fellow candidate in the midst of the debate. That was bad judgment, and we already have too much of that in the White House. With his petty nonsense, Pawlenty proved he is not presidential timber. Michele Bachmann I like the congresswoman from Minnesota, but I want a candidate who can win. Bachmann embroiders her answers too much and has to backtrack too often. And she says too much that has nothing to do with being president. Did anyone really need to hear her private views on “submission”? That can of worms is going to be a recurring issue, especially with MSM nipping at her heels about it. It was totally avoidable if she had just kept quiet. What will fall out of her mouth next? Bachmann should stand by for a cabinet post (treasury secretary?) and bow out for now. John Huntsman The former Utah governor seemed lost in the sauce. I’m not sure what Huntsman is doing in the presidential race to begin with, and he didn't impress me last night. Sorry, Governor, there isn’t much else to say. Who’s a Possibility? Mitt Romney The former Massachusetts governor has learned a lot since 2008. He’s smoother, quicker on his feet, and more informed. But Romney still sounds canned and carefully rehearsed. He picks his way through every response as if afraid an unexpected verbal bomb will detonate. However, his business and executive experience are his ticket, and I’ll vote for him if he is the candidate. Herman Cain It may not be practical of me, but I liked Cain the best. He has the business credentials the country needs, common sense, straightforwardness, and a sense of humor as an added bonus. He's also got many weak spots, but I think he’s sharp enough to learn fast. He's undoubtedly a long shot, but I’d vote for Cain in a heartbeat. Rick Perry No, he wasn’t in last night’s debate, but now that he’s announced he’s running, I’m looking forward to hearing what he has to say.